Bet you didn’t know I was this gorgeous. I didn’t either until I spent a couple of hours at Divine Divas, Bath’s brilliant boudoir photographers, at their studio in a converted Methodist Chapel in Bath. It really is the ultimate makeover. You look fabulous, feel fabulous – and it’s so fun!

I’ll be honest. I’m no spring chicken, I’ve got more than a bit of a tum and my whirl of school runs, home stuff, dealing with teens, leaves me feeling knackered; I’m mum, cook, cleaner, driver, peacemaker – never me. Sound familiar, give or take a school run? Turns out I’m perfect Divine Divas material. Jo, husband Neill and the rest of the team promise to bring out your inner diva to create beautiful, sensual images whatever your shape, size or age.

Just so you can see what they had to work with, here’s my before pic.

When you arrive, you have a chat about the sort of thing you want, and then it’s over to super-talented make up artist and hairdresser Harriet to start the transformation. You can go subtle or full-on vamp.

THE SHOOT

It’s just you and the photographer, no one else is allowed on set. Neill was my photographer but Emilie and Jesse are available if you’d feel more comfortable with a woman.

The sets – all white like you see on TV, all black (for sexy silhouette shots), with a velvet chaise longue and Hollywood-style bed with satin sheets, silky throws and sparkly pillows and those big, professional tripod lights – create a frisson of excitement.

As many clothes on or off as you like (bare all if you want). It’s what’s comfortable for you and a totally personal experience. You can bring up to three changes of clothes – sexy underwear (obvs), vintage stuff, or just a big white shirt – whatever makes you feel good. Bare legs or stockings; high heels (hello Muddy Stilettos) or high boots. Dress up with jewellery, masks, fans, hats; bring something with special significance for you or your partner. They’ve got some clobber you can have fun with too.

I’ve never been one to let it all hang out (hell, I even gave birth almost fully clothed) and was nervous initially but Neill quickly makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. The glass of fizz helps, too. If you know what you want to do – go girl! If not, Neill suggests positions and movements which feel natural, gently guiding and encouraging. As the shoot progresses, I started to lose my inhibitions and didn’t want the session to end. It’s pretty addictive stuff.

THE RESULTS

A week or so after your shoot, you return to view your images – a digital slide show with dozens and dozens of stunning photos on a large flat screen TV in a private screening room. Divine Divas do a first edit leaving the final choice of images up to you. They were a-mazing. Still me but a beautiful, sensual version of me. It was a bit of an emotional moment.

Looking like a perfume ad…

Models One, come in…

Once you’ve selected your images, you decide whether you want digital files, prints, album or wall art and the images are whisked away for some final skin-smoothing retouching. A few weeks later, they’re all yours.

Like to have a session but feeling a bit nervous? Go on, take the first step and give Jo a call. You won’t regret it.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Every woman should visit Divine Divas (really!) – the makeover and photo shoot are a massive confidence boost and you’ll end up with stunningly beautiful images that you (and others) will adore. All ages, shapes and sizes, there’s no limit.

Not for: Supermodels, hands off.

The damage: During September, the Divine Divas Experience – professional make up and hair styling, fizz, a 1-2 hour photo shoot with up to three outfit changes, private viewing of your images and skin-smoothing retouching of those you choose – is half price and jaw-droppingly cheap at just £25. It’s up to you how much you spend on your prints, albums and wall art, from £150 for a single mounted 10″ x 7″ print to over £2k on a vast infinity artwork large enough to cover a wall.